In the cabinet chamber, the air was filled with a strong smell of gunpowder.

This is not the first time that this has happened since Gao Gong entered the cabinet. Gao Gong wanted to do something earth-shattering, but he met Xu Jie, who was content with nothing, and their political ideas had a serious conflict.

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In fact, political ideas are unavoidable. For example, Lin Haoran and Xu Jie are recognized as politically compatible. However, the unspoken rules of the Ming Dynasty officialdom have always been based on the chief minister, and Lin Haoran can only restrain his own edge.

It's just that Gao Gong is not a person who compromises easily. Even in the face of a "virtuous prime minister" supported by hundreds of officials, he still wants to carry out his political ambitions.

Although the three of them had already seen Gao Gong's fighting power, they couldn't help but be stunned when they saw Xu Jie being so angry. He was truly worthy of Gao Gong's fearlessness.

As the second minister of the dynasty and Xu Jie's younger brother, Li Chunfang couldn't help but cough slightly when he saw the situation develop to this point, and immediately stood up to smooth things over and said: "Let's... let's go back to the topic just now and discuss how to save military expenditures!

"

After a pause, he saw that Xu Jie and Gao Gong did not argue anymore, but turned to Lin Haoran next to him and asked: "Mr. Lin Ge, do you think it is possible to save military expenses?"

This move can't be said to be very beautiful, but it undoubtedly brings the topic back to the topic and effectively reduces the smell of gunpowder in the air.

When Guo Pu heard this question, he turned to look at Lin Haoran.

Although Lin Haoran was happy to see the conflict between Xu Jie and Gao Gong, he also knew that he had to take the overall situation into consideration, so he responded: "Based on the current situation of the Nine Borders, I believe there will definitely be an invasion of the Nine Borders by the end of the year or early next year, especially

Xuanfu and Datong are under the greatest pressure. The current Jiubian soldiers cannot be reduced, and the military expenses that Datong and Jizhen have been owed must be made up as soon as possible, otherwise the morale of the military will be unstable and trouble may occur!"

It's not that he deliberately spoke for the border army as the Minister of War, but he commented on the matter with a fair attitude. No matter how greedy and fearful the frontier army was, they were ultimately defending the Ming Dynasty's frontier in the bitter cold land of the Nine Borders.

But there is no reason to let them starve to death.

Likewise, he will not only oppose cutting the military expenditures of the Nine Borders, but also hopes that the Ministry of Revenue can raise enough military expenditures that have been in arrears as soon as possible to make up for the border troops.

Guo Pu took a sip of tea and looked up at Lin Haoran, but he knew that Lin Haoran had another intention when he said these words: he was worried that the military funds raised by the additional levies would be used to build the palace again, so he called

A vaccination.

Li Chunfang nodded slightly, then turned to Guo Pu and asked: "Mr. Guo Ge, what do you think of military expenditures?"

Although he is now the second assistant, his qualifications are much lower than Guo Pu. Although he does not dare to put on any airs towards Guo Pu, he has always maintained a humble attitude.

"I agree with Mr. Lin Ge's point of view!" Guo Pu put down the tea cup gently and gave an authentic answer.

Under the dealings of the three cabinet ministers, the smell of gunpowder in the cabinet meeting room slowly dissipated, and Xu Jie and Gao Gong also paid attention to the three of them.

Gao Gong didn't seem to take what happened just now seriously. Xu Jie's eyes clearly flashed with a hint of evil, as he had already remembered today's events in his heart.

Li Chunfang nodded lightly and said respectfully to Xu Jie: "Master Yuanfu, Mr. Guo Ge and Mr. Lin Ge have the same opinion as me. The military expenditures of the nine sides cannot be reduced for a while. I don't know how you can do it."

look?"

Lin Haoran silently ate a piece of pastry to fill his stomach. At the same time, he secretly looked at Xu Jie, knowing that Xu Jie must have something up his sleeve this time, but he didn't know what his plan was.

Xu Jie's face softened slightly, and he said to everyone present seriously: "Ge Shouli, the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, has just submitted a notice. Due to insufficient border wages, he is requesting the court to open a new levy for another three years!"

Many people in later generations thought that after Xu Jie replaced Yan Song, he stopped Jiajing from renovating the palace. This is actually wrong. Not to mention that Xu Jie could replace Yan Song, it was he who presided over the reconstruction of the Wanshou Palace. How could Xu Jie have the qualifications and courage to follow Yan Song challenged.

In addition to the newly built Zichen New Palace, the construction of Chengtian Palace has not been interrupted, and the Xianling Hall of Xianling has also begun, as well as Qianguang Hall, Xiuwufu Palace, etc.

Coupled with the fact that Zongfan Lumi has not been effectively solved, the imperial court's finances have already been "making ends meet", and the current project has not stopped. In order to solve the military expenditure problem of the Nine Borders, additional levies and additional taxes have been passed in recent years. Send this way to solve it.

The current proposal to "open the military for three years", although it is heartbreaking, is already an effective way to alleviate the current financial problem. After all, the military expenditures of the nine countries cannot continue to be in arrears.

As soon as these words came out, Gao Gong, who had always liked to oppose Xu Jie, also frowned and began to think about this issue seriously.

After Xu Jie revealed the matter, he also said calmly: "We are all disciples of the saint. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I will not discuss this matter of increasing the gift here. It's just that the current military expenditure of Jiubian is one year. Then we have to spend 2.36 million taels. If we don’t continue to raise taxes now, where will this money come from?”

Gao Gong knew that the biggest root cause was the expenditure of internal funds, but although he was arrogant, he knew in his heart that once this point of view was thrown out, these words would immediately reach Jiajing's ears.

Even Yan Song, who had been favored for twenty years, was rejected by Jiajing just because he obstructed the reconstruction of the All Saints Palace, let alone his insignificant self?

In fact, this increase in taxes has already become an established fact. Now a three-year period has been set, which will allow local governments to implement it in a more orderly manner, which will be more conducive to the work of increasing taxes carried out by local governments.

"An additional three years of levy is too long?" Guo Pu frowned slightly.

Xu Jie also explained gently: "If you don't have long-term worries, you must have immediate worries. In recent years, we have repeatedly improvised, which has always made mistakes in the increase of levies. Now that additional levies have become inevitable, it is better to formulate a plan. Three years!" After a pause, he added: "Of course, during these three years, as long as our cabinet works together, we will be able to solve Ming Dynasty's financial problems, and I will be able to retire and return home with peace of mind."

When he mentioned "working together", his eyes specifically glanced at Gao Gong.

Gao Gong's brows furrowed, but he laughed in his heart and said: Resigning to old age and returning home in three years? As a Licorice Pavilion boss like you, who is sitting on a vegetarian diet, I, Gao Suqing, cannot tolerate you for three years.

Guo Pu was opposed to the additional three years of taxation, but considering the current financial situation, it seemed to be the safest approach. However, he turned to look at Lin Haoran and said: "Ruoyu, your achievements during your tenure as Minister of the Ministry of Revenue are obvious to all. , I wonder what you think?"

Gao Gong also turned to look at Lin Haoran. Although he also served as the transfer secretary, it was this experience that made him understand Lin Haoran's terrible financial management.

If Lin Haoran hadn't given him most of the advice, he would probably have fallen into the position of Minister of the Ministry of Finance, the most technical among the six departments. The same is true. When it comes to opinions on financial management, Lin Haoran is undoubtedly the person with the most say.

Lin Haoran's brows furrowed slightly, and he had actually begun to think about this issue.

Naturally, he knew very well about the financial issues of the Ming Dynasty. It was precisely because of his understanding that he knew that this matter was difficult, and he also knew that the finalization of additional taxes would be conducive to local work.

It's just that he still has some rejection in his heart. After all, he has experienced poverty and has served in a local government. He knows that this additional tax will increase the burden on the people and even lead to many bankrupt people.

But now he is not the local magistrate, but a cabinet minister of the Ming Dynasty, and even the Minister of War in charge of border affairs. Only by ensuring military expenses can he effectively face Anda's revenge.

Xu Jie saw Lin Haoran's reaction in his eyes and extended an olive branch: "Ruo Yu, if it is confirmed that the additional three years of recruitment will be confirmed, then the preparation of the cavalry battalion will have stable financial resources, but it is not impossible to do it!"

This is already a condition for Lin Haoran: as long as he agrees to join the army for three years, there will be no obstacle to Lin Haoran's plan to build a cavalry battalion.

Lin Haoran's heart moved slightly, and he finally understood Xu Jie's thoughts.

Xu Jie actually hoped to increase the levy for three years. This move would not only effectively alleviate financial problems, but also allow Xu Jie to govern more calmly. After all, the finances have not been effectively solved, and Xu Jie, the chief minister, also has to bear a certain amount of responsibility.

responsibility.

However, this additional tax is not a good thing after all. Once Lin Haoran chooses to stand up and sing the opposite, not to mention that he has already formed an alliance with Guo Pu and Gao Gong, Lin Haoran's influence alone is enough to make Xu Jie the target of public criticism.

This was not an acceptable result for Xu Jie, who cherished his reputation very much, so he offered Lin Haoran a fairly good condition.

Guo Pu and Yang Bo did not have too strong opinions, but they also set their sights on Lin Haoran.

After knowing the cause and effect, Lin Haoran raised his head and looked at Xu Jie and said: "Master Yuanfu, you might as well consider implementing the system of registering unruly people, what do you think?"

At present, the financial problems of the Ming Dynasty are mainly reflected in expenditures. Zongfan Lumi, military expenditures and engineering expenditures are like three big mountains, directly suffocating the Ming Dynasty's finances, but the income problem cannot be ignored either.

If tax evasion, tax evasion and other problems can be effectively combated, then the grain tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty will definitely increase significantly, thus alleviating fiscal problems through a substantial increase in fiscal revenue.

The registration of unruly people is undoubtedly a nuclear weapon to combat tax evasion and tax evasion. If it is fully promoted to the two capitals and thirteen provinces, it is conservatively estimated that it can increase grain tax revenue by 30%, which is far more powerful than imposing additional taxes on the people.

When Li Chunfang heard Lin Haoran once again mention the unruly record that made his scalp numb, he couldn't help but turn his head and look at Xu Jie, wondering if Xu Jie would suddenly "change his mind."

"Mr. Lin Ge, the registration of unruly people is against the ancestral rules, and the emperor has already stated that he will not implement the registration of unruly people. Please don't mention it again!" Xu Jie frowned slightly and said seriously.

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Although his tone seemed firm, it was to show Lin Hao's face, and he did not deny the role of the Diaomin Register itself.

In fact, through his clever actions, Jiajing has indeed made it clear that it does not support the Wanmin Register.

Gao Gong's brows frowned slightly, but the ancestral system and the emperor's will behind this matter also made it difficult for him to attack.

When Lin Haoran heard this answer, he couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.

Although he had known that this would be the result, he knew that it would be too difficult to get Xu Jie to support the implementation of the Diao Min Register. Not to mention the considerable resistance from the officials and gentry here, Xu Jie's 240,000 acres of fertile land was

The tax paid is an astronomical figure.

The most important thing is that once the registration of unruly people is implemented, the land properties of many officials and gentry are likely to be made public. Not to mention other serving court bosses, just a chief minister who owns 240,000 acres of fertile land is already very important.

Embarrassing.

Not only for his own interests, but also to avoid big trouble, Xu Jie had reasons to firmly oppose the introduction of the unruly people's register and safeguard the interests of the official and gentry class.

Li Chunfang seemed to be worried that Lin Haoran would use the system of unruly people to make trouble again, and echoed from the side: "Mr. Lin Ge, the emperor has indeed stated that he will not agree to the implementation of the unruly people's register!"

Guo Pu and Gao Gong looked up at Lin Haoran opposite, and Lin Haoran's position was slightly shaken.

The most effective method at present is to promote the registration of unruly people, but with Xu Jie's status and favor, even with the support of Guo Pu and Gao Gong, this matter cannot be done.

In fact, he knew this in his heart, so throwing out the list of unruly people was more of a test. Now that he had received a clear rejection, he undoubtedly had to "select the best among the poor."

Although this policy will make the people's lives more difficult in the next three years, as long as they are free to solve the Mongolian problem, the military expenditures of the Nine Borders can be reduced by the court, and the Ming Dynasty's finances will definitely be relieved.

But for some reason, he still felt something was wrong in his heart. He always felt that there was a logical thinking error here.

Xu Jie immediately coughed slightly and looked at the hesitant Lin Haoran.

Although he now holds the power, he is undoubtedly restrained by Lin Haoran on this matter. Once he does not support his plan to increase the tax for three years, things will be really difficult to handle.

Unconsciously, this young man who could only serve tea and water in the cabinet in the past has become a very important figure in the court.

Li Chunfang knew that although Lin Haoran was much younger than Gao Gong, she knew that Lin Haoran was a person who could take the overall situation into consideration, so she looked at Lin Haoran confidently.

At this time, a figure hurriedly rushed in from outside, raised his hands to Xu Jie who was sitting in the front seat and said: "Mr. Xu Ge, Eunuch Huang wants you to go to the Longevity Palace immediately!"

When they heard that it was Huang Jin who called Xu Jie to the Wanshou Palace, a tension filled the air immediately, but they all looked at the little eunuch worriedly, knowing that something big might have happened there.

Xu Jie realized the seriousness of the problem, so naturally he did not dare to discuss such "trivial matters" anymore, so he handed over to others and left with the young eunuch.

Just as Li Chunfang was about to announce the breakup of the meeting, Xu Jie suddenly left and returned, heading straight for the plate of pastries that had been left untouched just now. One of them put one directly into his mouth, while the other two put them into his sleeves. His movements were smooth and smooth.

Lin Haoran and others were originally speculating whether Jiajing had fainted or died, but when they saw Xu Jie's behavior, they couldn't help laughing. Li Chunfang almost couldn't help laughing.
Chapter completed!